Assessment of the Critical Success Factors of Irrigation Projects in Tanzania

Abstract

Construction of irrigation projects in Tanzania is faced with some crucial constraints in which the Government is committed to address so as to release the predicted targets. To reach or attain the objective of irrigation projects in Tanzania, 19 Critical Success Factors were identified that must be considered in every stage of project cycle. This study sought to assess the Critical Success Factors that have significant influence on the success of irrigation projects in Tanzania through a survey. The target population of the study included all irrigation projects executed between July, 2012 and June 2017 under different programmes within Morogoro region. A sample of 20 projects was taken from different districts in the region. Data was collected through questionnaires, distributed to the 20 projects participants. An interview with Resident Engineer of Itete project was also conducted while studying Critical Success Factors to validate results obtained from the survey. Survey results reveal that ‗Project Manager Goal Commitment‘ tops the Critical Success Factors of these projects while those from specific project reveal that ‗Employer Commitment to the Project‘ ranks the first important factor. The United Republic of Tanzania being the employer of this particular project has fully committed fund for the Itete Project. This is different from other projects whereby funds are set aside annually and the availability of funding depends on several other factors. Hence, construction of other projects is done in phases. This study, therefore, recommends that consulting and contracting firms must employ competent and qualified experts on irrigation projects, who must be fully engaged with managing irrigation projects from inception to implementation phases. Such engagement has the potential to ensure that the ‗Project Manager Goal Commitment‘ factor is observed